We are thrilled to celebrate Delta Air Lines, whose inspiring documentary “Akwaaba,” produced during the 2025 Delta Air Lines LEAD Camp and featuring the voices and stories of participating girls, has won Best Documentary Film at the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival!
Even more exciting, starting November 1, 2025, Akwaaba will be featured on Delta’s in-flight entertainment system across all aircraft with seatback screens, giving passengers around the world the opportunity to experience the power, confidence, and hope of African girls redefining leadership.
A Story of Girls Leading with Purpose
The title of the documentary, Akwaaba, which means “welcome” in Twi, a Ghanaian language, captures the voices, dreams, and journeys of young women who took part in the Delta Air Lines LEAD Camp 2025, a flagship program co-designed with JA Africa to nurture leadership potential in girls across the continent.
The documentary, led by three talented women, Joy Taylor (Producer), Patricia Swayne (Executive Producer), and Ayana Noble (Production & Art Designer), follows the girls from their arrival at camp to the final moments of reflection and empowerment. Through their own words, they share how they see themselves, what they believe they can achieve, and the kind of women and leaders they aspire to become.
Akwaaba also features Simi Nwogugu, President & CEO of JA Africa and Convenor of the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) Campaign, whose voice weaves through the narrative, reminding audiences that when girls are given the opportunity to learn, lead, and be heard, entire communities rise with them.
It was during this year’s Delta Air Lines LEAD Camp that the 10MAG Campaign was officially launched, with the participating girls becoming the first cohort of this bold, continent-wide movement. 10MAG seeks to equip 10 million African girls with the skills, mentorship, and confidence to lead meaningful change in their communities and careers.
The launch during LEAD Camp symbolized more than just the start of a campaign, it was the beginning of a legacy. For many of the girls featured in Akwaaba, being part of 10MAG marked the moment they began to see themselves not just as beneficiaries of opportunity, but as torchbearers for the next generation.
Together, these voices make Akwaaba more than a film, it is a living testament to what happens when vision meets action, and when belief in girls becomes a movement.
A Partnership Built on Purpose
The Delta Air Lines – JA Africa partnership spans several years and is anchored in a shared commitment to youth empowerment. Together, both organizations have launched innovative programs that combine education with opportunity, including the Delta Innovation Camp, which encourages STEM learning and creative problem-solving among African youth.
Through these initiatives, Delta has shown that corporate purpose can create generational impact, equipping young people not just to dream, but to lead.
Global Recognition for a Powerful Message
When Akwaaba was submitted to the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival, it stood out for its authenticity, emotional depth, and hopeful vision of African girls charting their own futures.
Winning Best Documentary Film affirms Delta Air Lines’ commitment to storytelling that uplifts and inspires. The in-flight feature ensures that passengers across continents will now encounter the energy, optimism, and leadership of Africa’s next generation of women each time they fly.
Looking Ahead
At JA Africa, we are deeply proud of our partnership with Delta Air Lines and this shared mission to unlock the potential of Africa’s youth. The success of Akwaaba is more than a cinematic win, it is a celebration of possibility and partnership.
We extend heartfelt congratulations to Delta Air Lines and the remarkable creative team behind Akwaaba, Joy Taylor, Patricia Swayne, and Ayana Noble, for this well-deserved recognition.
May this story continue to inspire young girls everywhere to dream boldly, lead confidently, and believe that their voices belong on the world’s stage.
Watch Akwaaba
Experience the award-winning documentary and see how Delta Air Lines and JA Africa are empowering girls across Africa to lead with courage and vision.
